A guard rounded the corner, his face draining of color as he took in the sight: Caelen's face buried in the curve of my neck, mouth working a fresh mark into my flesh; his body caging mine against the wall, one hand pinning both my wrists above my head in a vise of callused fingers, the other braced under my thighs to keep my legs locked around his waist.
Our eyes met across the space, mine wide with shock, his bulging in stunned horror. He nearly squeaked, a strangled sound caught in his throat.
Caelen stilled, his lips lingering on my skin for a heartbeat longer before he lifted his head, though he didn't turn. 'What do you want?' he growled, voice thick with interrupted hunger.
The guard swallowed hard, his voice quivering with fear.
"It's Lady Ophelia. She collapsed."
The words hit like ice water.
